None of us likes to think that there might come a day when we cannot look after our own affairs. However, that day does come for more and more of us and usually it is our loved ones that are left to deal with any problems.

If you make a Lasting Power of Attorney while you are well and have the legal and mental capacity to do so, then you can save your family a lot of stress in looking after your affairs for you when and if the need arises for them to do so. Without a Lasting Power of Attorney, there would have to be an application to the Court of Protection for the appointment of a "deputy" to look after your affairs and that procedure can be complicated and costly.

Once a person has lost mental capacity, he or she cannot sign a Lasting Power of Attorney. So if you want to make sure that you have someone in place of your choice to look after your affairs for you, if that ever becomes necessary, then  - no matter how young you are - you should make a Lasting Power of Attorney.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney. One is for your financial affairs, the other for personal welfare issues. Most people only want the former, but it is a matter of personal circumstances and choice. Your attorney must always act in your interests and in consultation with you while you retain the capacity to make decisions for yourself. Your attorney cannot act unless and until the Power has been registered at the Office of the Public Guardian.

The website for the Office of the Public Guardian contains detailed information which you may like to read before you see a solicitor.: www.publicguardian.gov.uk.